D

The entries on pp382‑439 of

Thayer's Note: I'm not particularly interested in ancient Greece. My site therefore includes, with few exceptions, only those entries that pertain to Rome. In these index pages, those that pertain exclusively to Greece are indicated in grey; I do not plan to put them onsite, although here and there I may change my mind.

DACTYLIOTHECA,
(δακτυλιοθήκη), a case or box where rings were kept
(Mart. XI.59). The name was also applied to a cabinet or collection of jewels. We learn from Pliny
(H. N.XXXVII.5), that Scaurus, the step-son of Sulla, was the first person at Rome who had a collection of this kind, and that his was the only one till Pompey brought to Rome the collection of Mithridates, which he placed in the capitol.

DESERTOR,
is defined by Modestinus to be one "qui per prolixum tempus vagatus, reducitur," and differs from an emansor, "qui diu vagatus ad castra egreditur
(Dig. 49 tit. 16 s3). Those who deserted in time of peace, were punished by loss of rank, corporal chastisement, fines ignominious dismission from the service, &c. Those who left the standards in time of war were usually punished with death. The transfugae, or deserters to the enemy, when taken, were sometimes deprived of their hands or feet
(Liv. XXVI.12), but generally were put to death. (Lipsius, De Milit. Rom.IV.4.)

DIMACHAE
(διμάχαι), Macedonian horse-soldiers, who also fought on foot when occasion required. Their armour was heavier than that of the ordinary horse-soldiers, and lighter than that of the regular heavy-armed foot. A servant accompanied each soldier in order to take care of his horse when he alighted to fight on foot. This species of troops is said to have been first introduced by Alexander the Great (Pollux, I.132;
Curtius, V.13).

DOLO
(δόλων). 1. A secret poniard or dagger contained in a case, used by the Italians. It was inserted in the handles of whips
(Dig. 9 tit. 2 s52;
Serv. ad Virg. Aen.VII.664), and also in walking-sticks, thus corresponding to our sword-stick. It was a weapon of the latter kind that Tib. Gracchus carried (Plut. Tib. Gracch. 10; comp. Hesych. s.v. Δόλωνες).

DOMINUS
means master, owner [Dominium]. Dominus is opposed to Servus, as master to slave. Plinius, in his letters, always addresses Trajanus as Dominus; but this must be viewed rather as a mode of showing his respect than any acknowledgment of a title (C. Plinii Caecilii Secundi Ep. ed. G. H. Schaefer, p500, note). Domitianus claimed the titles of Dominus and Deus (Dion Cass. LXVII.13, and the note of Reimarus; also Martialis,
Ep.V.8, and
X.72, when Domitianus was dead). It is said, that Aurelianus first adopted the title Dominus on his medals (Eckhel, Doct. Num. Vet. vol. VII p482).

DUPLA′RII
or
DUPLICA′RII,
were soldiers who received on account of their good conduct double allowance (duplicia cibaria), and perhaps in some cases double pay likewise (Varro, De Ling. Lat.V.90, Müller; Liv.
II.59,
XXIV.47; Orelli, Inscrip. No. 3535). They are frequently mentioned in inscriptions (Orelli, Nos. 3533, 4994), but more commonly under the name of duplarii (Orelli, Nos. 3531, 3535, 3476, 3481, &c.). In one inscription the form duplicarius occurs (Orelli, No. 3534). Vegetius
(II.7)
calls them duplares milites.